Last year, 41 agreements were signed for Service and Public Sector workers and 25 of them were sealed with the GWU.
In his address during the General Workers’ Union (GWU) Congress with the theme “The Work Continues”, Prime Minister Robert Abela explained the importance of social dialogue in order to continue improving the situation of workers in a time of technological changes and geopolitical challenges that increasingly require solid leadership in favour of families.
Dr Abela pointed out that this GWU was instrumental in the development of our country, so much so that it helped to achieve social progress and important achievements for Maltese and Gozitan workers. “Over the years, the situation of the worker continued to improve because our country had progressive forces, including trade union organisations such as the GWU,” said the Prime Minister.
Thanks to collective work with all those involved, our country has come to conclude several collective agreements that provide the best wages and the best conditions for workers. “Last year, no less than 41 agreements were signed that improved the situation, conditions and increased the wages of thousands of workers for the Public Service and the Public Sector, of which more than half, around 25, were signed with the GWU.”
The Prime Minister said that the Government’s principles will remain in favour of the cause of the worker, a decent income for workers and their families, and social support especially for those who can afford it the least. However, these principles can be put into practice with the help of a strong economy which remains the guarantee for us to continue to achieve social progress for workers and their families.
He stressed that realities change and therefore we must remain focused on the priorities of workers in the face of a dynamic economy. “Today our country has a situation where for every person who registers there are seven vacant jobs. Therefore, today we are not just talking about job creation, but about quality careers that pay off, even in sectors that we previously did not associate with quality careers, such as the manufacturing sector,” explained Prime Minister Robert Abela.
He said that in a time of great changes, including the digital core and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we must be pioneers of progress. Therefore, the Government will continue to invest in workers more than ever before, so that they have the best skills to use new technologies. Dr Abela noted that in the Budget that has already begun to be implemented, a vision of AI for All was put forward, which means free courses and certifications for everyone, including workers. He recalled that Malta was a pioneer seven years ago when it launched a national strategy for AI, which has been almost fully implemented, and has now been updated so that our country continues to be one of the most AI-friendly.
The Prime Minister noted key measures in the Budget that have now begun to be implemented, not only the second consecutive tax cut and the pension increases but now, following the wage increases in the public sector, the income of workers in the private sector will now be increasing through a measure where the Government is providing up to 80% subsidy in the wage increase that employers give to workers who are now working stably.
This year marks the sixth year since Maltese and Gozitan workers no longer missed public holidays when they fell on a Saturday or Sunday. The Prime Minister also explained that this year workers have three additional days on top of their normal leave to make up for public holidays that fall on weekends.
Dr Abela also made reference to the Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value, which has been extended to the private sector, and that our country has entered the second year of embracing this principle to continue strengthening workers’ rights against past injustices. At the same time, with the implementation of the Labour Migration Policy, Maltese workers have been protected while ensuring that every worker in our country works with the dignity they deserve.
At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister thanked the GWU for its work and appealed for it to continue to advance proposals and ideas that will increasingly strengthen workers, their families and pensioners.
